I recognize that all women are unique, and
there is no treatment protocol that will work for everyone. However,
I can provide you with my general recommendations, which you can
use to develop your specific hormone replacement strategy with your
doctor:

Never use unopposed estrogen if you have
a uterus; balance it with progesterone.

Never use conjugated or synthetic estrogen's.
Instead, use estriol or a balanced formulation which contains
primarily estriol, such as bi-estrogen or tri-estrogen.

If you are already on a hormone replacement
program with a synthetic estrogen hormone such as Premarin, consider
replacing it with estriol, bi-estrogen or tri-estrogen.

Estriol, bi-estrogen and tri-estrogen must
be obtained through a doctor's prescription. Many doctors think
estrogen means only Premarin, so you may need to provide your
physician with information for further research. If your doctor
will not work with you on this, find another doctor. You can contact
the American College for the Advancement of Medicine for a referral,
714/583-7666 or 800/532-3688.

If you are already on a hormone replacement
program with progestin (synthetic progesterone) such as Provera,
consider replacing it with natural progesterone.

If you're experiencing menopausal hot flashes
and night sweats, either take estriol, bi-estrogen or tri-estrogen
orally on a regular basis or use topical estrogen cream, such
as Ostaderm, on an occasional basis as symptoms require. Estrogen
creams, applied vaginally, can help alleviate vaginal dryness.
Natural progesterone cream can help with hot flashes and night
sweats as well. Pransdermal estrogen and progesterone creams are
available from health professionals. You can also get progesterone
cream in a few health food stores and by mail order. Call Healthy
Directions, 800/722-8008, ext. 655.

Regardless of your age, if you've gone
through menopause, preventative use of estrogen and progesterone
replacement therapy makes sense. This is particularly true if
you are at risk for heart disease and osteoporosis.

Estrogen replacement requires active participation
on your part. Your doctor cannot know how you feel and thus you
must take the lead in suggesting or implementing slight changes
in your dose and schedule until you find the program that works
best for you.

Don't give up your hormone replacement
therapy after a month. Be willing to spend three or four months
being tuned in to your body and experimenting with different combinations.
With a doctor's help, you should be able to devise your own personal
hormone replacement therapy program.

If you're adamantly against using estrogen
replacement therapy, perhaps because of a history of cancer or
just on general principle, consider supplementing your diet with
1 to 3 mg of boron per day. Boron has been shown to have some
of the same effects as supplemental estrogen in postmenopausal
women.

Exercise has a decidedly beneficial effect
on hormonal balance, and women who participate in regular physical
activity have an easier transition through menopause with notably
fewer hot flashes.I recommend at least 3 to 4 hours
of moderate exercise per week.

Information
on this site is provided for informational purposes and is not
meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician
or other medical professional. You should not use the information
contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem
or disease, or prescribing any medication. You should read carefully
all product packaging. If you have or suspect that you have
a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider.